Revenue Act of 1935

The Revenue Act of 1935, 49 Stat. 1014 (Aug. 30, 1935), raised federal income tax on higher income levels, by introducing the "Wealth Tax".^[1] It was a progressive tax that took up to 75 percent of the highest incomes (over $1 million per year).^[2] The Congress separately also passed new taxes that were regressive, especially the Social Security tax.

It was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt over strong opposition from business, the rich, and conservatives from both parties. The 1935 Act also was popularly known at the time as the "Soak the Rich" tax.^[3] To solve the problem of tax evasion through loopholes, the Revenue Act of 1937 revised tax laws and regulations to increase the efficacy of the tax.^[2]

Predicted revenue increase

Congress estimated that annual revenue would be increased by approximately $250 million when the new law took effect.^[4]

Predicted annual revenue increase (in millions)

• $45 Surtax on Rich
• $80 Estate tax on rich
• $21 Gift tax on rich
• $37 Corporation taxes
• $44 capital stock tax
• $10 excess profits tax
• $20 intercompany dividends
• –$15 Corporation charitable deductions
• $250 total tax increase

Tax on Individuals

A Normal Tax and a Surtax were levied against the net income of individuals as shown in the following table.

Revenue Act of 1935 Normal Tax and Surtax on Individuals 49 Stat. 1014 [5]
Net Income (dollars)	Normal Rate (percent)	Surtax Rate (percent)	Combined Rate (percent)
0	4	0	4
4,000	4	4	8
6,000	4	5	9
8,000	4	6	10
10,000	4	7	11
12,000	4	8	12
14,000	4	9	13
16,000	4	11	15
18,000	4	13	17
20,000	4	15	19
22,000	4	17	21
26,000	4	19	23
32,000	4	21	25
38,000	4	24	28
44,000	4	27	31
50,000	4	31	35
56,000	4	35	39
62,000	4	39	43
68,000	4	44	47
74,000	4	47	51
80,000	4	51	55
90,000	4	55	59
100,000	4	58	62
150,000	4	60	64
200,000	4	62	66
250,000	4	64	68
300,000	4	66	70
400,000	4	68	70
500,000	4	70	74
750,000	4	72	76
1,000,000	4	73	77
2,000,000	4	74	78
5,000,000	4	75	79

• Exemption of $1,000 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples and heads of family. A $400 exemption for each dependent under 18.

Evaluations

Liberal historian Paul Conkin concluded that the 1935 tax law in which the graduated rates were first imposed on corporations, “neither soaked the rich, penalized bigness, nor significantly helped balance the budget.”^[6] Nevertheless, angry critics complained that it was like the camel's nose under the tent, creating a precedent that would soon grow rapidly in magnitude.^[7]

See also

• Revenue Act of 1936, which included a highly controversial corporate tax on undistributed profits